House Republicans Seek About $34 Billion Food Stamp Cut [View all]

By Brian Faler

House Republicans are calling for $34 billion in cuts over the next decade to the food-stamp program, setting up a fresh election-year battle over the U.S. budget deficit.

Lawmakers said they plan to include the reductions in a package of $261 billion in spending cuts they will propose to replace automatic cuts scheduled to take effect in January.

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas said the plan is designed to squeeze inefficiencies out of the food-stamp program, which is projected to cost taxpayers about $80 billion this year.

“It’s basically closing loopholes; it’s tightening things up; it’s reflecting the budgetary times we’re in,” said Lucas, an Oklahoma Republican.

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http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-04-17/house-republicans-seek-about-34-billion-food-stamp-cut.html